Scripture Is Clear – Marketing Techniques, Light Shows, Great Music, and Phenomenal Entertainment May Pack Seats, but It Does Not Make a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ

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Here are some strengths of the regulative principle: It seeks to honor God and His Word. It keeps the focus on God-centered worship rather than man-pleasing activity. It effectively eliminates worldliness or elements with pagan roots that have been given a Christian flair. It consults the Bible, rather than popular opinion, for the final word on church questions. One weakness of the regulative principle is that it can easily become legalistic in its strict rejection of anything not found in the Bible. It can also place worship in a category saved only for corporate settings, rather than encourage it as a daily practice. It also does not account for many aspects of a worship service not dealt with in the Bible, such as length of services, instrument use, how much technology should be employed, and dozens of other cultural questions not applicable in Bible times.

In yet the latest example of the nonsensical madness taking place in many contemporary, entertainment-based churches, a disturbing video of a Youth Class in which students were encouraged by the Pastor to spit on, slap him in the face and even cut his bare back with a steak knife in order to “teach them about Jesus”, has gone viral. Not only was this ridiculous stunt potentially traumatic to the children involved, but it is also yet the latest sign of the end times apostasy – the prophesied falling away in the Church from teaching sound Biblical doctrine in favor of entertainment, person-centered teachings, and gimmickry.

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APOSTASY ALERT – OHIO CHURCH ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO SPIT ON, SLAP AND CUT PASTOR WITH KNIFE IN “EASTER LESSON”

April 21, 2019 By Beginning and End

This is what happens when churches feel just reading the Bible to students is not enough.

In yet the latest example of the nonsensical madness taking place in many contemporary, entertainment-based churches, a disturbing video of a Youth Class in which students were encouraged by the Pastor to spit on, slap him in the face and even cut his bare back with a steak knife in order to “teach them about Jesus”, has gone viral. Not only was this ridiculous stunt potentially traumatic to the children involved, it is yet the latest sign of the end times apostasy – the prophesied falling away in the Church from teaching sound Biblical doctrine in favor of entertainment, person-centered teachings and gimmickry.

According to reports:

“The young people lined up as if they were preparing to receive communion, but instead of accepting bread and wine from the associate pastor at Impact City Church in Pataskala, Ohio, they spit in his face.

Then, they slapped him.

Finally, at least one carved into his back with a steak knife.

The violence unfolded at the pastor’s own encouragement, as an after-school lesson on Monday about the crucifixion — doled out nearly a week before Easter — revealed the perils of trying to reenact scriptural teachings.

The episode at the church was intended as an illustration of love. Instead, it became a parable about the readiness of children to perpetrate violence, sending a disquieting signal of how quickly some young people descend into the sort of savagery fictionalized in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies.”

“The students were caught off guard,” the lead pastor, Justin Ross, recalled on Monday night. “Some got excited because they never had an opportunity to spit in someone’s face.”

THE PRESSURE TO BE “RELEVANT” – DOWNFALL MANY CHURCHES TODAY

“The young people lined up as if they were preparing to receive communion, but instead of accepting bread and wine from the associate pastor at Impact City Church in Pataskala, Ohio, they spit in his face.

Then, they slapped him.

Finally, at least one carved into his back with a steak knife.

The violence unfolded at the pastor’s own encouragement, as an after-school lesson on Monday about the crucifixion — doled out nearly a week before Easter — revealed the perils of trying to reenact scriptural teachings.

The episode at the church was intended as an illustration of love. Instead, it became a parable about the readiness of children to perpetrate violence, sending a disquieting signal of how quickly some young people descend into the sort of savagery fictionalized in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies.”

“The students were caught off guard,” the lead pastor, Justin Ross, recalled on Monday night. “Some got excited because they never had an opportunity to spit in someone’s face.”

THE PRESSURE TO BE “RELEVANT” – DOWNFALL MANY CHURCHES TODAY
Bible prophecy on the falling away | Relevant hipster churches teaching false doctrine
An ad used for the Resurrection Sunday service at City Church in Seattle Washington.
Impact City markets itself as: “a modern, non-denominational, church that focuses on being both relational and relevant. In simple terms, we want to help connect you with people you enjoy “doing life” with while on your journey of growing closer to God, closer to each other, and closer to your purpose!” (source).

This type of language and terminology is very commonly used in the modern “relevant” and “hip” churches that are laser-focused on church growth over the preaching of sound doctrine itself. Marketing firms, consultants and “toolkits” are used all over America by pastors seeking to make a splash in their “community.” Using catchy phrases, making church as informal as possible and deemphasizing the “scary” parts of the Bible while relying on entertainment, pop culture references and socializing are the foundation. All of this reflects a lack of faith in what is the most powerful gift God has given Christians – His Word.

Many contemporary churches are devoid of any belief in the supernatural power of the Bible. Scripture is clear – marketing techniques, light shows, great music and phenomenal entertainment may pack seats, but it does not make a believer in The Lord Jesus Christ:

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” – Romans 10:14-18

Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. It is the power of God’s divinely-inspired Word that brings the Light of God into the heart and mind of an unsaved soul. It’s the preaching of the Word that changes hearts from rebellion against God to humble obedience, repentance and love. Jesus Christ said:

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” – John 6:63

Romans 1:16 says: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” – Romans 1:16-17

Time and time again the Bible stresses that the power of God is in the Word. There is nothing wrong with making church fun. There is nothing wrong with promoting believers to have fellowship, play games or have God-honoring parties. But first and foremost a Pastor’s duty is to preach and teach the Bible – soundly and accurately. When a church is relying on marketing, entertaining and using tactics to try and keep youth engaged and attending, the result is nonsense stunts like that seen at Impact Ohio.

This is not the first example of this. Beginning And End has detailed a number of outrageous behavior by Pastors in the modern “relevant” church:

Pastor Troy Grambling of Potential Church sitting in a car that was intentionally set on fire in the church parking lot during service.
A Pastor flying into church on a zip line over the heads of his audience to reach the stage at the start of Sunday Service while the “Mission Impossible” movie theme blares from the speakers.
Pastor Ed Young and his wife placing a bed on the roof of the church to sleep in and then placing their bed on the stage during service for their “Sex Series.”
WHERE IS BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP?

Preachers of L.A. | Fake Cool Pastors Carl Lentz heresy
The truly hipster and cool pastors can even get their own reality TV shows like Jay Haslip of the infamous “Preachers of L.A.” tv series.

Almost as disturbing as Impact Ohio’s Youth Torture Party was the response of their lead pastor. In an uncut, unedited video posted by the lead Pastor and the Youth Pastor in question, their apology is given. The video is below:

While we credit Pastor Justin Ross for posting a response to this incident right away, there were still some concerns with the content of his statement.

No emphasis on The Word:

“Each Monday we invite students to come across the street, a place where they can hang out with their friends. We provide activities for them, we feed them. As part of that program we also take five minutes to do a deposit of faith in the students. A chance where we can share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.”

Most youth night programs can run anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours. According to Impact City’s website, they can run from 2:00PM until 5:30.  And in this time, the Youth Pastor spends 5 minutes giving a message?  Does this sound like a ministry that believes in using the Word as the “power of God?” Does this sound like a youth pastor who is training children up and emphasizing Biblical teaching?

“The reactions are appropriate. Many of you were disgusted, many of you were hurt by this, many of you were very confused. Why this would be taking place in a church, in a youth group? And we agree, it was inappropriate for this audience. And there is really no excuse for why it happened.”

Credit the Pastor for being accountable for this terrible event, acknowledging the outrage of parents and observers and stating there was “no excuse.” This is a fine example of leadership. However, in this segment and one other time the Pastor stated that the torture event was not appropriate for “this audience” – implying that because these were children and teens, they should not have done it. But if this were an adult class, that it would have been permissible.

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Note that in this passage the Apostle Paul (a former Pharisee who was well-trained in the Word of God) repeatedly emphasizes that he did not rely on his “excellency of speech” or “enticing words of man’s wisdom” in order to preach. He stuck to God’s Word and “knew nothing” else. The “crucifixion illustration” is a perfect example of man’s wisdom. Why not just sit the children down and reach the account of the trial and crucifixion of Christ? This is the central story of the entire Bible. If this can’t just be read to children (who must – dare we say it – sit in silence and listen) then what part of the Bible can be taught?

“This part did not get posted on social media. After Jaddeus allowed them to spit on him, slap him and cut him, he sat them down and explained to them about this guy named Jesus who thousands of years ago, he was put on trial for a crime He did not commit.

And he was beaten, he was broken, he was whipped. He was crucified. He died as an innocent man. We believe Jesus had the power at any point to stop them. To stop those that were hurting him. But he chose to allow it to happen … in order to take the payment of our debt that we call sin.”

Interesting that the Pastor used this incident to now state the Gospel quite accurately (though referring to The Lord Jesus Christ as “this guy” is quite irreverent). Praise God that the Gospel was preached. But why could this not have been done in the class? Why did it take a youth Pastor removing his shirt, giving a steak knife to an incredulous group of students and asking them to cut his back? And notice there was no discipline announced. Is this youth Pastor still going to be trusted to teach children? 

PRAY FOR REPENTANCE

End times hipster church apostasy | Ohio Impact City Church cut spit and slap pastor
All churches need to be relevant is the message of for forgiveness of sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Pray for Ohio Impact City Church and the many hundreds of pastors all over the world following this same “growth model” for their own congregations. Being a pastor is an honorable, God-given and very thankless role. It is not easy and the pressures a Pastor endures are exponential to their average congregant. But what sustains them through the trials and spiritual warfare of being the head of a flock of believers is The Word.

It takes an unyielding reliance on God’s Word and prayer-filled life of humility to lead and teach the Church of God. Pray for Pastor Ross to consider reevaluating his approach and making sure men and women who are experienced in The Bible with established doctrinal knowledge take lead of the church and that preaching and teaching form the church’s foundation. The message of the Bible has never been more relevant in human history. All we need are some brave Christians to open the book and share it. Source

The normative principle of corporate worship also uses the Bible as the final authority but teaches that anything not expressly forbidden may be incorporated in services. Drama, special music, movie clips, and PowerPoint presentations may all be used in normative worship services since they are not forbidden in Scripture. The supporters of this style of worship point out that every church and every culture expresses worship differently, even those in Bible times. They hold that the Bible’s instruction on worship services was not meant to be a list of rules but to be a guideline for understanding the heart of God. They argue that regulating worship services creates an unnatural attitude toward worship and God, rather than allowing the corporate expression to be a continuation of a worshiping lifestyle (Deuteronomy 6:6–81 Corinthians 10:31).

Here are some strengths of the normative principle: It encourages creative expressions of worship through the arts and technology. It creates a more relaxed and relevant environment for new believers and those not familiar with the “churchy” atmosphere. It allows for differences in taste and style, while still maintaining allegiance to biblical principles. It brings Scripture into current culture, minimizing the tendency of postmoderns to view the Bible as outdated and irrelevant. Some weaknesses to the normative approach are that it opens the door to worldliness in its efforts to incorporate culture. It can also tend toward entertainment-based gatherings rather than pure worship of God. It may also slide toward a man-centered focus as it incorporates whatever is popular with the congregation.

So which viewpoint is correct? Every Bible-believing church body must be regulated by the authority of Scripture. If it does not, it has ceased to be a New Testament church. But within those churches that hold fast to God’s Word, there is a vast array of acceptable expressions of worship. Many congregations embrace a combination of both views. The extreme of either is displeasing to God. Extreme regulators can become pharisaical, creating rules out of principles and judging anyone who veers from those rules (Matthew 7:1). But extreme normatives can be guilty of walking on the edge of worldliness and justifying questionable activities by claiming they are being “all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:22).

Paul addressed this issue in 1 Corinthians 10:23–24. “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others” (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:12). Galatians 5:13 says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” It would appear from these passages and others like them that the desire of God’s heart in corporate worship is that all believers set aside their own preferences in favor of what most benefits others. It is also clear that simply because something is popular or appealing does not mean we should use it.

The Bible does give us guidelines for the assembly of the church, and no congregation has the authority to completely disregard them. Several elements are vital for a healthy congregation: reading the Bible (1 Timothy 4:13), preaching the Bible (2 Timothy 4:2), singing hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19Colossians 3:16), prayer (Matthew 21:131 Thessalonians 5:17), and celebrating the Lord with two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:191 Corinthians 11:23–26).

The overarching goal of corporate worship is “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12–13). The church is to function as a body, unified in Spirit, for the purpose of accomplishing God’s will on earth. 

However, even though we are unified by one Spirit (Ephesians 4:5), people and cultures have unique needs. Different styles of worship appeal to different people and meet needs that other styles don’t meet. The prevailing law governing every church should be the law of love (Galatians 5:14). If a drug addict is saved because a church showed the Home Run movie one Sunday, then that church has fulfilled God’s law. Either viewpoint—regulative or normative—can accomplish that goal as long as we keep Hebrews 10:24–25 the center of our focus: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

StevieRay Hansen
Editor, HNewsWire.com
Conservative Christian World News

They perverted justice among themselves (v. 7): “You turn judgment to wormwood, that is, you make your administrations of justice bitter and nauseous, and highly displeasing both to God and man.’’ That fruit has become a weed, a weed in the garden; as nothing is more venerable, nothing more valuable, than justice duly administered, so nothing is more hurtful, nothing more abominable, than designedly doing wrong under colour and pretence of doing right. Corruptio optimi est pessima —The best, when corrupted, becomes the worst.

It is impossible to find anyone in the Bible who was a power for God who did not have enemies and was not hated.

2 Corinthians 4:8-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

“Pedophile” have reverberated throughout America. But beneath our anger and revulsion, a fundamental question pulsates: Are those who abuse their positions of trust to prey upon children—a category certainly not limited to those in religious orders—sick … or are they evil? We need the answer to that fundamental question. Because, without the truth, we cannot act. And until we act, nothing will change.

My job is protecting children. It has taken me from big cities to rural outposts, from ghettos to penthouses, and from courtrooms to genocidal battlefields. But whatever the venue, the truth remains constant: Some humans intentionally hurt children. They commit unspeakable acts—for their pleasure, their profit, or both.

https://hnewswire.com/pedophilia-is-a-first-cousin-to-homosexuality-and-they-are-in-full-swing-with-pride-month/

#Antichrist #evildoers #suppressingtruth #birthpains #tribulation #sevenyears #hellonearth #those that have ears, let him hear, those that have eyes let them see!

“Hate speech” is a completely made-up concept with no actual definition or meaning

MY MISSION IS NOT TO CONVINCE YOU, ONLY TO INFORM…

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In his riveting memoir, "A Long Journey Home", StevieRay Hansen will lead you through his incredible journey from homeless kid to multimillionaire oilman willing to give a helping hand to other throwaway kids. Available on Amazon.

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